Albuquerque, NM — On March 11, 2011, Japan faced disaster on an epic scale: a death toll likely in the tens of thousands, massive destruction of homes and businesses, shortages of water and power, and the specter of nuclear meltdown. Can science and technology ever prevent devastation in the face of overwhelmingly powerful forces of nature?

This month, come out to the New Mexico PBS Science Café, and – one year later – learn about “FUKUSHIMA,” on Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m.-12 noon, at Los Poblanos Inn & Cultural Center, 4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque.

Watch a segment of a PBS program concerning the disaster, then join in a discussion with Jesse Phillips, Nuclear Engineer in the Severe Accident Analysis Department at Sandia National Laboratories.

Learn about the MELCOR software that models progression of severe accidents in nuclear power plants and learn how Japanese regulators used it to help them understand what was happening in the reactor.

These Science Cafés are presented with support from UNM Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, and Sandia
National Labs/Lockheed Martin.

For updates on the New Mexico PBS Science Cafés, and local and national science, nature and technology programs, visit the online community web portal — SCIENCE CENTRAL,
at www.newmexicopbs.org/sciencecentral

New Mexico PBS hosts a SCIENCE CAFÉ twelve or more times a year, at various locations. The concept is to show clips from an episode of NOVA, NOVA scienceNOW, the Online NewsHour Science Reports, NATURE, FRONTLINE, or a comparable program, with an expert on that topic on hand to answer questions, and have an open discussion with the audience.

Take part – or listen to the discussion swirling around you. It’s fun, it’s casual, it’s laid back… The estimated number of attendees range from 50-80 people per Café.